Harris County (GA)

Head Coach: Alex Moore (11 total; 8 at Harris County)

Staff: Wes Wingard, Nate Chapman, Shawn Fridlay, Amy Sanchez

Harris County finished 10th a year ago in a tough 5A traditional state tournament … but the Tigers lose some hammers in State Runner-up Oran Decker and State Placer Garrett Wood. Decker and Wood accounted for 66% of their points in Macon a year ago.

So what does that mean? Well if the Tigers are going to be back in the top 10 again they will need some new faces to step up and make their mark in 22-23.

Fortunately the Tigers can rely on returning State Placer Nick Nguyen and State Qualifier Davin Lundquist as well as the return of hammer Davis Culpepper to lead the way. The trio are joined by Seniors Brock Johnson, DJ Maddox, and Christian Perry (each returns with post-season experience after just missing on trips to Macon in 2022). Those 6 should form the core of the Harris County lineup … and it will be up to a talented young group of hammers to see if the Tigers can push further into the top 10. The Tigers have 5 Sophomores including Area 2 Champ Matthew Vanwettering that will look to make some noise this season. Keep an eye on Denver Degonia, Sam Sprout, Tyler McGuire, and Tony Zimmerman as well as returning Junior Aidan Westbrook. Harris County also has a handful of new faces that could make an impact in 2022-23. Watch for upperclassmen Jayden Strickland, Gavin Lowell, and Lane Morris as well as freshmen David Gilbert and Wes Sappington.

“We lost a lot of fire power in our line up with the loss of Logan Emfinger (two year starter), Garrett Wood (4 time state placer now wrestling at Lander) and Oran Decker (3 time Finalist and 2020 State Champion also now wrestling at Lander), but those were our only 3 seniors in a lineup that wrestled sectionals with 5 freshman in the starting 14. We have good experience returning and good leadership in Davin Lundquist, Nick Nguyen, Brock Johnson and the other seniors. We averaged 29 in the weight room each day during the months of June and July. Our freshman class is also around 20 strong with a few of them going to push our returning starters for positions this year. We hope that our kids continue to work as hard as they have in the off season to continue to keep up the tradition of tough Harris County teams that we have put on the mat in recent years.”

— Coach Moore

NOTE: All mentions of placers and qualifiers in the body are based on the 2021-22 season. If a wrestler placed higher or lower in a previous year it is not captured above.

Greenbrier (GA) - Boys

Head Coach: Tyrone Abero (5 years)

Staff: Aaron Epstein, Derek Pollard, Julian Brown, and Ryan McDermott

The Pack finished outside the top 10 at the traditional state tournament in 2022, but expect that to change this season. This is a team that returns all 32 of their state points from a year ago and should expect to add to that point total in a big way in 2023. The Pack return 3 State Placers in Sebastian Melendez, Cooper Comer, and Crisjaniel Martinez as well as State Qualifiers Boston McDermott, Ryan Claiborne, and Caden Pollard. Look for the Pack to be particularly tough in the middle of their lineup from Pollard at 126/132 through Comer at 157/165/175.

Add in Nat Jujaleon (113-126), Alex Salser (138/144), Jacob Braddock (165/175), and Kemper Schlereth (215) and the Pack have 10 returning with post-season experience and all with a legit shot to pack their bags to Macon in February. Whether the Pack climbs into the top 5 in 5A will likely come down to two things: 1) how well Jujaleon, Salser, Braddock, and Schlereth continue to develop, and 2) whether Caden Hammerstrom, Nate Rank, and Ben Rezendez can fill in the other spots in the lineup. Keep an eye on a quartet of freshmen to make some noise as well … Leo Gallagher (106), Jack Gray (113-120), King Drumgoole (113-120), and Caden Williams (144-150) could help push the Pack into the top 5 as well.

“We are excited about this years team as 4 of our starters participated in National level tournaments this summer! All 6 state qualifiers return including 3 state placers, Crisjaniel Martinez-Antonetty, Cooper Comer and Sebastian Melendez! Boston McDermott, Caden Pollard and Alex Salser along with over 25 kids have worked hard all summer! We are also excited about the young talent coming in with Leo Gallagher, King Drumgoole and Nathan Gooding leading the way! The goals include finishing in the top 5 for the duals in the 5A while having multiple state placers and state champs! Go Pack!”

— Coach Abero

NOTE: All mentions of placers and qualifiers in the body are based on the 2021-22 season. If a wrestler placed higher or lower in a previous year it is not captured above.

Greenbrier (GA) - Girls

Head Coach: Donell Bradley (1st year)

Staff: Aaron Epstein, Derek Pollard, Julian Brown, and Ryan McDermott

No team scores a season ago for the Girls, but if there had been … the Pack would’ve been in the hunt. 2022 State Runner-up Jayde Massa and State Placer Arieana Bacon (4th at 152) along with State Qualifier Phoebe Melvin led the way in 2022 and should do so again this season. All three return and each will look to push to the top of the podium after just missing a season ago. The Pack also features 10 others with experience including a pair of Seniors in Julia Zanatta and Katlyn Means.

Add in Juniors Jordan Epstein, Ryan Lewis, Mya Pilger and Trinity Pritchett and Sophomores Liz Martinez and Jalaia Ross and this team has all of the makings of a team that can make a run for the title. Keep an eye on Senior Lyric Drumgoole and freshmen Journey Drumgoole and Esperanza Huiton … if they can fit into the lineup down low then this is a team that will push Chestatee and the others for the top step. The Pack is tough from 130-195 … the key to a title will be Epstein, Drumgoole (x2) and Lewis down low and finding a 235 to fit into a solid lineup from top to bottom.

“We are excited about the upcoming season. We have a solid group of returning wrestlers that are leading the way with some new faces that are sure to make a statement. Last year was about building the foundation and making sure we didn’t let the “speedbumps” slow down our progress. This year we are going in with the objective of tearing down the walls that stand between us and greatness. That “greatness” will mean different things for each girl, but if we stick to that we will do great things this season.”

— Coach Bradley

NOTE: All mentions of placers and qualifiers in the body are based on the 2021-22 season. If a wrestler placed higher or lower in a previous year it is not captured above.